Buddhist Art: Indonesia

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Buddhism came to Indonesia in the seventh and eight centuries as a result of the trading links between the islands of Java and Sumatra, and India. The most significant work of Buddhist architecture is Borobodur, a monument completed at the beginning of the ninth century CE in central Java.

Borobodur

The word 'Borobodur' means 'monastery on the hill' and is one of Buddhism's largest stupas (structures that were built to house the relics of the Buddha and Buddhist saints). It is also a three dimensional mandala (mandalas being symbolic representations of the Buddhist universe).

The base of Borobodur is square. Rising form this square base are five square terraces, a further three round terraces on top of these and finally a single large stupa. The base represents the human realm and is decorated with scenes from the Buddha's life and previous lives. The five square terraces symbolize the Buddha realms and consists of 108 Buddha figures. The three round terraces are symbolic of the approach to final enlightenment at the top.

To get to the top one walks around the each layer in a clockwise direction, mirroring, in a symbolic way, the progress towards enlightenment.